Analysis by Transparency International shows some 70% of countries lack the tools to prevent corruption in the defence sector. Photograph Martin Argles for the Guardian

Most countries, including a large majority of the world's biggest weapons importers, lack the tools to prevent corruption in the arms trade, according to an unprecedented international study of national defence ministries and armed forces.

A number of Britain's most lucrative existing and potential markets for arms, including Saudi Arabia, Indonesia and Oman, are among countries where there is "a very high risk" of corruption, says Transparency International (TI) in a report released on Tuesday.

TI, a charity set up to combat corruption and promote good practice in commerce and industry, describes its study as the first index measuring how – or whether – governments counter corruption in defence.

It estimates that the global cost of corruption in the defence sector amounts to at least $20bn (£12.6bn) a year – the total sum pledged by the G8 countries in 2009 to fight world hunger. Its estimate is based on data from the World Bank and the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (Sipri).

Mark Pyman, Director of TI's defence and security programme, said: "Corruption in defence is dangerous, divisive and wasteful, and the cost is paid by citizens, soldiers, companies and governments.

"Yet the majority of governments do too little to prevent it, leaving numerous opportunities to hide corruption away from public scrutiny and waste money that could be better spent"

Britain is among countries, also including South Korea and the US, where the risk of corruption is considered "low". In only two countries is the risk of corruption considered "very low" – Australia and Germany, where there is robust parliamentary oversight of defence policy.

Some 70% of countries leave the door open to waste and security threats as they lack the tools to prevent corruption in the defence sector, according to the study. Half of the those countries' defence budgets lack transparency entirely, or include only very limited information, TI says. And in 70% of the countries, citizens are denied a simple indication of how much is spent by their government on classified weapons projects.

The index shows that only 15% of governments possess political oversight of defence policy that is comprehensive, accountable and effective. In 45% of countries there is little or no oversight of defence policy, and in half of there is minimal evidence of scrutiny of defence procurement.

Oliver Cover, the main author of the study, said: "This index shows unequivocally that there is a severe risk of corruption in this sector. It is a shock that in some areas it is also so poorly understood, for example in conflict situations, where corruption can become deeply embedded. Our index will help everyone to understand and address the risks".

Cover added: "Governments should clean up this sector, and our report will give them practical solutions to achieve transparency. Doing so will save the lives of troops and citizens and governments billions of dollars."